Ryan apologizes, LT defends him

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan walks off the field after the New England Patriots defeated the Jets 30-21 in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

/ AP

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan walks off the field after the New England Patriots defeated the Jets 30-21 in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan walks off the field after the New England Patriots defeated the Jets 30-21 in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (/ AP)

Rex Ryan was apologetic in a press conference with the New York media on Thursday, saying any disrespect he showed Chargers head coach Norv Turner was unintentional.

"It was me, it's all on me," Ryan said. "I'm guilty. Absolutely … Obviously I wish this one never happened. It really was unintentional. I don't know what other word to use. I don't know what to even say."

The Jets head coach was asked Wednesday during a conference call with San Diego media if he ever thought about what might have been different if he had gotten the Chargers job he interviewed for in 2007.

"I would have had a couple of rings," said Ryan, who has never been shy about making predictions.

Ryan called Turner almost immediately after hanging up from the conference call. At that time, Turner had not seen the quotes, but he had seen them by the time he spoke to the media following the Chargers practice.

"I didn't have a chance to ask him this," Turner said Wednesday, "but I was wondering if he had those rings with the ones he's guaranteed the last couple of years."

On Thursday, Ryan reportedly smiled as he said: "I think we're even because he did get me with a good shot. There's no question."

Also Thursday, in advance of his first-ever game against the Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson answered questions in a video conference call with the San Diego media and defended his current coach.

"I really think Rex, it didn't come off the way he meant it to come off," said Tomlinson. "I think he was caught in kind of a situation where, Rex is always going to be honest and he's a confident person, if you know Rex ... I don't think it was anything against Norv. He has a lot of respect for Norv. Norv is a heckuva football coach."